I worked with Whitney twice, and did not enjoy either experience. She had a wonderful voice but had too many dangerous diversions in her life to find true happiness . I was truly sorry to hear of her sad passing, but i was equally surprised that she somehow lived for as long as she did. I hope she has now found the peace denied to her in life.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNHarmony
Robyn Crawford wrote about how it was like touring with Whitney and I can imagine what you went through [[and what Whitney herself was dealing with). What tours did you work with her on?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
Whitney had the voice of an angel but was surrounded by demons and people who simply neglected her in her time of need. Her story reminds me SO much of Judy Garland's. Two gifted talents who got neglected and abused by the people who professed to love them.
Whitney changed cause the industry changed. I guess if you appear to act "stoic" or stiff, people would think you have nothing else to offer. But I think over time Whitney did improve on her stage shows. The Bodyguard Tour and My Love Is Your Love Tour were probably her best tours.Quote:
Originally Posted by reese
The first one was around 1987 and the 2nd time was in the late 90's for the my love is your love tour. I wish i could look back on them with some kind of affection but they were difficult, demanding and distressing in equal measure. I truly wish i had never taken those jobs.Quote:
Originally Posted by midnightman
Perhaps you are right to draw comparisons with Judy. I know a very elderly lady who worked with Judy in London just prior to her passing, and she experienced similar horror stories to mine.
Was that the lady that worked the Talk of the Town engagement?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
Yes. Her name is Rosalyn Wilder.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNHarmony
I do recall interviews with her over the years; happy to hear that she was able to live a long life after those experiences!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
Yes indeed. She was only young when she worked with Judy. I first met her back in the 80's and have kept in fairly regular contact with rher ever since. She did some press interviews recently to promote the film. I haven't seen the film, but i do know that Rosa was not entirely happy with the authenticity of some scenes in the film.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNHarmony
I look forward to the film, having the opinion from clips that Rene Z does a great approximation of Garland. I saw the original show on Broadway, The End of the Rainbow, and Tracie Bennett was superb. Did Rosa write a book?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
I had forgotten Traci Bennett had played her on stage. I knew Traci quite well back in the day, but have not seen her for many years, but i did see her in an excellent UK drama called The Bay earlier this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNHarmony
Rosa did not write a book to the best of my knowledge. She is a very private person and usually shuns the limelight. A very classy lady.
Are you kidding me? Why would all those people lie, including the ones who may not be big fans of Ross? Diana was not the only hard worker at Motown, and because I wasn't there, I cannot say if she outworked everyone at the label in the early days. I imagine with all the youthful energy abounding at Hitsville in the early 60s, all that unbottled ambition, there were a few folks at Motown working their asses off to succeed. But there is one major difference that is indisputable: at some point Gordy began to ride Diana's ass [[don't go there!:p), pushing her forward every step of the way. He was molding her into the star that he believed would take Motown, and ultimately Gordy himself, into the stratosphere. And she did. Mary has talked about it. Florence has talked about it. Florence even said she felt sorry for Diana because of the way Gordy pushed her so hard. She may have been going with the boss, but he didn't take it easy on her. Everybody at Motown probably wanted Diana's success. I can't imagine that anyone else at Motown was willing to put up with what Diana put up with in order to get it. That makes her special.Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2
Re RanRan post: Like
Diana Ross's work ethic is a musical instrument
that keeps on playing!
Her genius as a song stylist reached its peak with the soundtrack of "Lady Sings The Blues".
Why Ms. Ross did not receive an Academy Award and a Grammy Award for her skilled acting, and pure-toned and emotionally charged depth of singing is still a mystery!
I personally consider the golden tone of Diana Ross's singing in "Lady Sings The Blues" a musical masterpiece!
Is Diana Ross's movie soundtrack "LSTB" one of the first movie soundtracks to hit #1 on Billboard Pop Music Chart?
No. Others like A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, GOLDFINGER, SHAFT, and THE GRADUATE reached #1 prior to LADY.Quote:
Originally Posted by TNSUN
Funny thing is the person who said Diana Ross outworked everyone at Motown was this guy:Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-cont...=900,600&w=450
Yeah. I've heard chaotic stories about Judy. That's why I've found myself comparing the two. They may have come from completely different eras: Judy from vaudeville, Whitney from the church and soul tradition, but both of them have similar stories, which is eerily as hell [[like I said, they even died almost similar and were about the same ages). But yeah Robyn said the handling of Whitney's career was nightmarish at times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
I believe that Smokey Robinson has also made similar comments about DR.Quote:
Originally Posted by midnightman
Yes he did. He said that Diana was usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. She certainly worked very hard [[too hard) throughout the 60's. No-one deserved success more than she did. Her work ethic and unique talent were an inspirational combination.Quote:
Originally Posted by SatansBlues